Today’s episode we are discussing emerging innovative programs to help those who are having suicidal thoughts. Our guests today are representatives of agencies collaborating to enhance responses to those at risk for suicide. Through their combined efforts, they are creating a more systematic approach to helping our community.

A recent suicide by a celebrity has brought this issue to national attention. However, suicide is a daily occurrence and is, according to the CDC, the 10th leading cause of death. They report that in 2010 there were 38,364 suicides in the US – an average of 105 a day or 1 every 15 minutes – There were 1,067 suicides in Virginia in 2011 – above the national average. They occurred most frequently with males (78 percent), whites (87 percent) and people age 45-54 years old (23 percent).Yet females have a higher rate of thinking about suicide. Over 30% of suicides test positive for alcohol, 23% for antidepressants, and almost 21% for opiates.